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J Reconstr Microsurg 2015; 31(03): 187-190
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394159
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Ulnar Nerve Transposition at the Elbow under Local Anesthesia: A Patient Satisfaction Study

Pietro M. Roberti del Vecchio   *
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
,
Thierry Christen   *
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
,
Wassim Raffoul
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
,
Paolo Erba
1   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 June 2014

27 August 2014

Publication Date:
31 October 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Background Ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow traditionally requires regional or general anesthesia. We wished to assess the feasibility of performing ulnar nerve decompression and transposition at the elbow under local anesthesia.

Methods We examined retrospectively the charts of 50 consecutive patients having undergone ulnar nerve entrapment surgery either under general or local anesthesia. Patients were asked to estimate pain on postoperative days 1 and 7 and satisfaction was assessed at 1 year.

Results On day 1, pain was comparable among all groups. On day 7, pain scores were twice as high when transposition was performed under general anesthesia when compared with local anesthesia. Patient satisfaction was slightly increased in the local anesthesia group. These patients were significantly more willing to repeat the surgery.

Conclusion Ulnar nerve decompression and transposition at the elbow can be performed under local anesthesia without added morbidity when compared with general anesthesia.

Keywords

general anesthesia - local anesthesia - transposition - ulnar nerve

* Both authors contributed equally to this article.


 

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